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Cited by 591Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychosomatic Disorders and Their TreatmentsPsychological Treatments and Assessments

Hypochondriasis

Warwick, Hilary M.C., Salkovskis, Paul M.·1990·Behaviour Research and Therapy
DOI 10.1016/0005-7967(90)90023-c
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Abstract

Hypochondriasis and other syndromes in which health anxiety is prominent are frequently seen in clinical practice and often pose problems of management. In contrast with other anxiety problems, the conceptualization and treatment of health anxiety has developed very little in recent years. Behavioural approaches to treatment have only recently been applied. In the present paper, current theoretical models are critically evaluated and a cognitive-behavioural approach is proposed to account for the development and maintenance of hypochondriacal problems. Principles of cognitive-behavioural treatment based on this approach are outlined, together with some suggestions for research.

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Crossref · 10.1016/0005-7967(90)90023-c

Cites

65 of 65 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • SSD is in line with mainstream theoretical approaches to chronic pain and medically unexplained symptoms, such as the fear-avoidance theory of pain and the cognitive behavioral model of health anxiety.

    “SSD, in turn, is very much in line with mainstream theoretical approaches to chronic pain and medically unexplained symptoms, notable examples being the fearavoidance theory of pain 3 and the cognitive behavioral model of health anxiety.33”

    From Symptom Preoccupation in Fibromyalgia: Prevalence and Correlates of Somatic Symptom Disorder in a Self-Recruited Sample (2020) · cites this paper as [33]

  • The cognitive-behavioral model of HA and hypochondriasis postulates that misinterpretation of normal bodily symptoms as harmful and somatosensory amplification lead to negative affect such as anxiety and worry.

    “The cognitive-behavioral model of HA and hypochondriasis by Warwick and Salkovskis [58] postulates that the perception of normal bodily symptoms and their misinterpretation as harmful and as a sign of a serious illness as well as the mechanism of somatosensory amplification [59] lead to negative affect (eg, anxiety and worry).”

    From Conceptualizations of cyberchondria and relations to the anxiety spectrum: Systematic review and meta-analysis (2021) · cites this paper as [58]

  • No studies have examined the impact of iCBT on other key cognitive (e.g., intolerance of uncertainty, body hypervigilance) and behavioural (e.g., safety behaviours and avoidance) processes thought to perpetuate health anxiety.

    “Third, past research has shown iCBT reduces maladaptive cognitions and beliefs, but no studies have examined the impact of iCBT on other key cognitive (e.g., intolerance of uncertainty, body hypervigilance) and behavioural (e.g., safety behaviours and avoidance) processes thought to perpetuate health anxiety ( Warwick & Salkovskis, 1990 ).”

    From Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Psychoeducation Control for Illness Anxiety Disorder and Somatic Symptom Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial (2018) · cites this paper as Warwick & Salkovskis, 1990

  • The MBCT program followed the protocol for MBCT for recurrent depression as outlined by Segal et al. (2002) but was modified for health anxiety in that it was informed by Warwick and Salkovskis' (1990) cognitive model of health anxiety.

    “The program followed the protocol for MBCT for recurrent depression as outlined by Segal et al. (2002) but was modified for HA in that it was informed by Warwick and Salkovskis' (1990) cognitive model of HA.”

    From Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for severe health anxiety (hypochondriasis): An interpretative phenomenological analysis of patients' experiences (2011) · cites this paper as Warwick and Salkovskis, 1990

  • Cognitive-behavioural conceptualizations of health anxiety have emphasized the role of heightened bodily focused attention in the maintenance of the disorder.

    “Third, cognitive-behavioural conceptualizations of HA have emphasized the role of heightened bodily focused attention in the maintenance of the disorder (e.g., Warwick & Salkovskis, 1990).”

    From Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for severe health anxiety (hypochondriasis): An interpretative phenomenological analysis of patients' experiences (2011) · cites this paper as Warwick & Salkovskis, 1990

Cites

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1 of the 66 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Brownell, 1984, Behavioural medicine, Vol. 10
  2. Pilowsky, 1984, Hypohcondriasis, Vol. 4
  3. Wilson, 1984, Fear reduction methods and the treatment of anxiety disorders, Vol. 10

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Authors
Warwick, H. M. C., & Salkovskis, P. M.
Affiliations
Warneford Hospital (GB)
ORCID
Salkovskis, Paul M.
Venue
Behaviour Research and Therapy
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1990
Volume
28
Issue
2
Pages
105-117
ISSN
0005-7967 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/0005-7967(90)90023-c
OpenAlex
W2911986200
Semantic Scholar
23ea1c589ed8ff10851ee82876c1d45b5db0abcb
Cited by
587
References
66
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 23
FWCI
3.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Behaviour Research and Therapy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
Keywords
health anxiety, cognitive-behavioral intervention, cognitive-behavioral model, behavioral interventions, anxiety disorders
MeSH terms
Behavior Therapy, Humans, Hypochondriasis, Sick Role

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